Real Property Survey Due July 21, 2023
Surprises can be nice, but not when they come in the form of an unexpected report! TEA Grant Compliance announced a new survey requirement that is due July 21, 2023. The last time this survey was done was Oct 2019! It’s been a while, so you will have to do some digging to complete this survey. It is called “Survey on Reporting Real Property,” and is required for all LEAs to respond. They are looking to see if you used federal funds to purchase real property. If so, the federal government retains an interest, and property tracking (inventory) and proper eventual disposal of the property will be required.
What is real property?
According to 2 CFR 200.1, real property is land, land improvements, structures, and appurtenances of existing property, but does not include moveable machinery or equipment. These types of purchases are not very common with Title funds, IDEA, or Carl Perkins, because construction and infrastructure are generally not allowable. However, with COVID and ESSER funds, upgrades to AC became allowable (including filtration), and was submitted to TEA for approval as construction. It is also possible that some permanent infrastructure had to be installed to support virtual instruction. In addition, CSS believes there might be these types of purchases in CSP (Charter School Start Up grant funds).
What do I need to do?
Review all related purchases since October 2019 in federal grant funds. The survey is regardless of price, so not all purchases may be found under 6600 (capital outlay). They might also be found under 6200. You will need the purchase month, year, grant fund, and FY (year) of grant to complete the survey.
Where is the survey located?
Click here to access the survey in qualtrics: Real Property Survey
Click here for more information on the TEA website: Federal Fiscal Reporting
You can count on CSS to keep you up to date on last minute requirements! Our federal team monitors TEA communication to keep our clients up to date!
A copy of the survey is attached here for you to see the questions, but there is no paper submission. CSS is not able to test the survey, but we believe that if you answer “no” to questions 1 and 2, the rest of the survey will not be required.
It should be noted that the SPAT (Silent Panic Alert Technology) and School Safety grants contain these types of purchases (fencing, bulletproof glass, etc.), but are not included because they are State, not Federal, grants.
Please email the Federal Fiscal Compliance and Reporting Division at compliance@tea.texas.gov with any questions regarding the Survey on Real Property Reporting.
Need our help?
- Contact Dr. Sheila K. Sherman, Federal Grants Manager – ssherman@charterschoolsuccess.com
- Visit the Charter School Community Roundtable, where you can ask questions, get answers and discuss this topic now.